Man dies following accidental shooting

HILTON HEAD ISLAND - A 63-year-old man died Monday morning following a shooting outside a Hilton Head Island pawn shop, according to the Beaufort County Sheriff's Office.

Investigators believe the man accidentally shot himself.

"There is no indication of foul play, as it appears that the victim may have accidentally discharged the gun while attempting to unload it," authorities said. "The investigation remains active."

At about 11:30 a.m., Sheriff's deputies responded to a reported gunshot victim in the parking lot of Top Dollar Pawn, 11 Mathews Drive. Upon arrival, deputies located a 63-year-old man suffering from a gunshot wound to the chest. The man was taken to Hilton Head Hospital where he later died.

According to witnesses, the man had gone to Top Dollar Pawn to discuss the sale of a 9 mm handgun. After brokering the deal, the man went out to his vehicle in the parking lot to retrieve the weapon. Witnesses reported hearing a single shot and the victim cry out. The victim was found at the rear of the vehicle, with a gunshot wound to the chest. The handgun was found lying in the vehicle's open trunk.